BAD HAIR DAY?
You could be sabotaging yourself before you even get out of the shower...
Shampooing and conditioning your hair is seemingly straight forward but what if you've been doing it all wrong? Simple little mistakes could be setting you up for bad hair day after bad hair day. A few key tips could save you from having to resort to ponytails or the "bump" and have your hair looking amazing every day.
1. YOU'RE USING YOUR SHAMPOO WRONG
Anyone remember the old shampoo commercials with the model massaging her sudsy pile of locks on top of her head? You can just wash that image right out of your memory. Shampoo companies were programming us to use way too much shampoo and then need way too much conditioner to untangle that mess! Instead, start with about a cherry sized amount of shampoo for short or fine hair and up to the size of a walnut for thicker or dirty hair. Rub your palms together to distribute the shampoo to your scalp easier. Notice I said scalp here! Shampoo is designed to cleanse your scalp more so than your hair. Shampoo will eventually dry out your mid-lengths and ends. If you tend to get product buildup I would suggest using a clarifying shampoo about once every two weeks. Now, back to your shampooing skills. Use your palms and fingertips to apply the shampoo to your scalp and massage in a circular motion. No need to scrub too hard here. Let the shampoo do its job. Add a little more water as needed to move that shampoo around. Now, rinse your hair in lukewarm water, still rubbing your scalp with your fingertips. You'll know it's clean when you hear the squeak! If you don't, or you didn't get much suds, your hair may be extra dirty or oily. You'll need round two of shampoo. Rinse. Lather. Repeat. Easy, right?
2. YOU AREN'T USING THE RIGHT SHAMPOO
This one is a no-brainer but it's very easy to use the wrong shampoo for your hair type. You should be asking yourself two questions when picking out a shampoo. One, "Is this shampoo formulated for my hair type?" And, two, "Does it address any current issues that I am having with my hair?" Fine, limp hair needs a completely different approach than oily hair. Chemical processes also need to be factored in when picking out a shampoo. My suggestion would be to talk with your hairstylist at your next appointment. Together, you can zero in on the type of shampoo that will best suit your needs.
3. YOUR CONDITIONING ISN'T SO CONDITIONING
Just as your shampoo is designed for cleansing your scalp, your conditioner is designed for hydrating and balancing your mid-lengths and ends. Start with about a quarter size of conditioner (golf ball sized for thicker/longer hair) and apply to your hair from about the ears down. At this point I like to pin my hair up gently with a clip and let sit for about 3 minutes. Find something else to do in your shower routine while you wait. This part is super important. Rinsing it out sooner is just wasting it. Next, I like to use a wide tooth comb to work the conditioner through the hair and detangle. This is the best time to comb it and minimize any damage you might normally get from combing through wet hair. This will also pull a small amount of the conditioner higher up the hair without weighing it down. Now for the part where people go wrong. Rinse, rinse, rinse. Get it all out! You do not want to leave any conditioner behind, especially in the scalp area. Voila! Soft, shiny and tangle free hair.
4. YOU'RE ROUGHING UP YOUR HAIR
Now that you're out of the shower and your hair is dripping everywhere you grab your towel, rough dry your hair and wrap it up on your head, right? Wrong! Doing so causes breakage, frizz, split ends, and hair loss around the front hairline. Instead, blot and gently squeeze your hair with a soft towel or even an old t-shirt until no longer dripping. Yes, it will take you a little longer but your hair with repay you with better health and easier styling.
Use these tips and set yourself up for easier styling and better hair days and be sure to properly prep your hair for styling with the appropriate hair products. Happy hair days to you all!
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